A-Gs demand immediate action on Hicks trial

State and territory attorneys-general have signed a declaration demanding the Commonwealth take action to ensure Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks is immediately brought to trial.

The federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, was heckled by dozens of protesters as he arrived at a meeting of the nation's attorneys-general in Fremantle in WA today.

The detainee's US military lawyer, Major Michael Mori, addressed the attorneys-general.

He expressed disappointment that Mr Ruddock declined an invitation to attend the presentation.

"It's disheartening that federal ministers won't fight for an Australian citizen to have the same rights as an American," he said.

The ministers signed what they are calling the Fremantle Declaration, which urges judicial fairness be applied in Hicks's case.

They say it is needed to protect the legal rights of Australians at home and abroad.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, says Hicks cannot be brought home without trial.

But he says he will again ask the United States to speed up Hicks's trial.